OK, let me give a disclaimer up front. The new love of my life is an Aussie, so I'm partial to all things Australian now. That being said, I very much enjoyed "Australia," as did my nephews and their assorted girlfriends, all in their early 20's. Australia is a long, sprawling movie, shot in the distinctive Baz Luhrman style of overblown colors, enforced artificiality and sweeping overhead pans.
It is a big story with about 3 different endings before it really ends. The little boy narrates it and while I'm not a fan of narration in general, it worked for me here.
I could take or leave Nicole Kidman; I'm no fan of hers, but she didn't kill the movie. Of course, why wouldn't I love Hugh Jackman. What warm blooded woman wouldn't?
It was interesting to see how Baz can take a natural location and make it appear artificial, which is off putting but somehow he makes it work. There are about 7 different stories going in the film and it's all over the place, but if you want a modernist epic movie about the land down under, this is the one to see.
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd